Kwanzaa: Meaning and traditions

Dr. Maulana Karenga started Kwanzaa in 1966. His inspiration was to help African Americans honor their African ancestors. He chose December 26^th to January 1^st for the Kwanzaa holiday. Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday based on harvest festivals in Africa. The name Kwanzaa (KWAN-za) comes from the phrase matunda ya kwanza, or first fruits of the harvest.

Principles

Each day of Kwanzaa celebrates one of seven principles. People talk about one principle each day. The seven principles are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Candle Meanings

Each candle is a symbol for one principle. Three candles are red. They symbolize blood or challenges. Three green candles symbolize Africa’s land. The black candle is lit on the first night.  It stands for the African people. Then red and green candles are lit on the other nights. The candleholder, or kinara is a symbol for the African ancestors. An ear of corn is set out for each child. The Unity Cup holds deep symbolic meaning. It is a reminder that the strength of the community comes from the unity of its people.

How Is Kwanzaa Celebrated?

During Kwanzaa people wear African clothing. Including dashikis (dah-SHEE-kees). Head scarves called geles. Flat round hats called kufis (KOO-fees). Kente cloth, originating from Ghana, is widely used in Kwanzaa celebrations to reflect principles.

This is not a commercial holiday, small gifts can be exchanged, and sharing African folk tales.

On December 31^st many families have a big Kwanzaa feast called the karamu. Dishes include Botswana chicken groundnut stew, jollof rice, and sweet potatoes. The last day of Kwanzaa is a time for quiet reflections. The parties and games are all done by January 1^st.

In 1997 the US government recognized Kwanzaa for the first time issuing the first Kwanzaa postage stamp.

Cartoon characters created by Sterling Haynes.

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